2016 UEFA Euro Cup - Round of 16
Never try and guess a bracket prior to the final qualifying game. In Group A, a disappointing loss to Albania resulted in Romania's elimination. In Group B, Wales rout of Russia earned them 1st rather than 3rd. In Group C, a victory over the Ukraine and some help, earned Northern Ireland a 3rd place spot with only 3 points. Luck o the Irish? Next opponent a lively Welsh side.
In Group D, Croatia's impressive victory over Spain flipped the anticipated pecking order, while elimination came for the Czech side with a lop sided loss to Turkey. In Group E, Italy having already won the group, took the day off by sitting 8 starters. Luck o the Irish? Brady's 85th minute header, "earned" Ireland a 3rd place qualification match vs host France. In Group F, Hungary's expected draw with Portugal coupled with Iceland's win over Austria combined to flip that groups pecking order, as Portugal barely crawled into a 3rd place spot with three draws.
Aside from the seed flipping, the effect on our predictions: Czech Rep, Romania out; Northern Ireland and Ireland in, meaning excepting the luck o the irish, we picked the other 14 of 16 correctly. Below a corrected Round of 16 with our projected winners in bold.
2A - Switzerland
2C - Poland
1D - Croatia
3F - Portugal
1B - Wales
3A - Northern Ireland
1F - Hungary
2E - Belgium
1C - Germany
3B - Slovakia
1E - Italy
2D - Spain
1A - France
3D - Ireland
2B - England
2F - Iceland
Interesting enough, despite the new matchups, as opposed to our bold picks predicted in the qualifying round, we will only switch one pick with Belgium advancing vs Hungary. Yes, we are going out on a glacial ledge with Iceland to shock England; and not so much of a stretch with Croatia over Portugal and Italy over Spain.
Having lost the chance at a clear path to the title game by finishing 2nd, back to back defending champion Spain shall not reach a third consecutive title game. With the new brackets, our sense is a final four of France vs either Germany or Italy and Belgium vs Croatia. In the final, either Germany or Italy vs Croatia. TBD and more to come.
In Group D, Croatia's impressive victory over Spain flipped the anticipated pecking order, while elimination came for the Czech side with a lop sided loss to Turkey. In Group E, Italy having already won the group, took the day off by sitting 8 starters. Luck o the Irish? Brady's 85th minute header, "earned" Ireland a 3rd place qualification match vs host France. In Group F, Hungary's expected draw with Portugal coupled with Iceland's win over Austria combined to flip that groups pecking order, as Portugal barely crawled into a 3rd place spot with three draws.
Aside from the seed flipping, the effect on our predictions: Czech Rep, Romania out; Northern Ireland and Ireland in, meaning excepting the luck o the irish, we picked the other 14 of 16 correctly. Below a corrected Round of 16 with our projected winners in bold.
2A - Switzerland
2C - Poland
1D - Croatia
3F - Portugal
1B - Wales
3A - Northern Ireland
1F - Hungary
2E - Belgium
1C - Germany
3B - Slovakia
1E - Italy
2D - Spain
1A - France
3D - Ireland
2B - England
2F - Iceland
Interesting enough, despite the new matchups, as opposed to our bold picks predicted in the qualifying round, we will only switch one pick with Belgium advancing vs Hungary. Yes, we are going out on a glacial ledge with Iceland to shock England; and not so much of a stretch with Croatia over Portugal and Italy over Spain.
Having lost the chance at a clear path to the title game by finishing 2nd, back to back defending champion Spain shall not reach a third consecutive title game. With the new brackets, our sense is a final four of France vs either Germany or Italy and Belgium vs Croatia. In the final, either Germany or Italy vs Croatia. TBD and more to come.
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